concerning the Maia..
 

I was looking up something about mythology, and I saw Maia listed as a Greek & Roman goddess of the Night Sky. I wonder if Tolkien knew this, since he barrowed ideas from Anglo-Saxon myth and the like? O.o

It might be so for he knew lots of ancient mythology. If you look for the name 'Valar' in Greek & Roman mythology you may be more certain if JRRT did copy those names of these myths.

Can't help you any further.
greetings,
lathspell

I didn't know that, wow, a deeper insight into Tolkien's inspiration prehaps?

Actually I've noticed that Tolkien uses a lot of stuff from European myths and languages and such. Like the word 'Orc' is really old english for demon [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]. Wierd huh?

Many authors, including Shakespere use(d) words and names from mythology, especially greek mythologie. Did you know that in Norse mythology, Gimli means “paradise.”? It is quite likly that Tolkien used a lot of mythologie in his books.

Quote:
'Orc' is really old english for demon

[img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

Hmm, I'd never noticed much in the way of influence from Greco-Roman myths on Tolkien's work. Northern European myths certainly, but not much from the Greeks and Romans.

Exploring the influence of Greco-Roman myth might make a good topic for a thread. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

::nod:: I also heard Gimli's name meant 'star' in some language as well. I wonder which one Tolkien intended O.o.

It seems JRRT's works is like a "melting pot" of mythologies of Europe.